Green Building Alliance > About Us
Green Building Alliance Mission
Statement
The Green Building Alliance (GBA) is a group of design and construction
professionals working together to create a more sustainable built environment.
Who are members of the Green Building Alliance?
The Alliance members include local architects, engineers, landscape
architects, interior designers, contractors, and related professionals—many
with award-winning credentials—who are committed to the design
and construction of environmentally sustainable projects.
Who are supporters of the Green Building Alliance?
The Alliance supporters are professionals and companies that manufacture
and market green building products.
Who does the Green Building Alliance serve?
The Alliance serves people who want to create healthy, environmentally
friendly homes, workplaces and landscapes.
How does the process work?
The Alliance is your one-stop source for experienced green building
professionals committed to green building. Please contact us
for a comprehensive list of knowledgeable members ready to assist
you in making your surroundings environmentally friendly. From
our list you can select and interview individual professionals of
your choice, according to your specific project needs. GBA
recommends a design-build team approach whenever possible. With
a team of GBA members, a more comprehensive approach can be incorporated,
helping to increase sustainability, while reducing project costs.
What is green building?
Green building is the design, construction, and operation of projects
that minimize the use of energy, water, and materials while cutting
waste and improving health and air quality. Reduce, reuse,
and recycle are key strategies for green building.
Why build green?
To create healthier homes and workplaces. People who
live and work in green buildings and landscapes enjoy greater health
and comfort.
To save operating costs. Reducing heat loss, using
natural ventilation, and harnessing solar energy cuts heating and cooling
bills. Green landscapes use less water, chemicals and maintenance.
To protect the environment. Improvement in resource
efficiency means less use of energy, water, wood, metal, etc. Careful
siting of buildings and conservation of plants, animals, and natural
habitats, decrease the impact on the environment.
History
In 1999 architect Dennis Thompson and contractor Dennis Allen met to
discuss promoting green building. They soon discovered that many
of their colleagues in the design and construction industry, including
some members from The Sustainability Project, a local non-profit,
wished to join them. This new group wanted to provide growing numbers
of green-aware clients with quality, sustainable design and construction. At
the first GBA planning meeting on June 22, 1999 attendees decided
to form a group of green building experts. They developed a
name, a logo and a marketing campaign. The Green Building Alliance’s
first by-laws were adopted in June, 2001. |
